Top grip carrier for bottles or the like



y 9, 1963 s. M. SILVER 3,097,010

TOY GRIP CARRIER FOR BOTTLES OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. 12, 1960 sSheets-Sheet 1 I I f l/ l Z5 Z5 Z8 40 40 24 40 33 5% r-' a c 1 [24 36 26 Z0 22 F IG. 3 FIG. 5

INVENTOR.

STA/V M. SILVER July 9, 1963 s. M. SILVER 3,097,010

TOY GRIP CARRIER FOR BOTTLES OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. 12, 1960 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. STA/v M S/L vE/z ATTORNEY July 9, 1963 s. M.SILVER TOY GRIP CARRIER FOR BOTTLES on THE LIKE,

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 12, 1960 INVENTOR. STA/v M. 'S'IL vseATTORNEY United States Patent 3,097,010 TOP GRIP CARRIER FOR BOTTLES ORTHE LIKE Stan M. Silver, 25 Central Park W., New York, N .Y. Filed Dec.12, 1960, Ser. No. 75,389 30 Claims. (Cl. 294-87.2)

The present invention relates to a hand carrier for bottles, or thelike, and more particularly to a top-grip bottle carrier that willsupport, in suspended relation, one or more bottles, or the like, and ismanually engageable for carrying the bottles suspended therefrom andespecially to a cardboard, top-grip bottle carrier.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a top-grip bottlecarrier of the character described formed from a unitary cardboardblank.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a topgripbottle carrier of the character described which may be easily andquickly applied over the tops of the bottles, either manually ormechanically.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide atop-grip bottle carrier of the character described which safely andtightly engages tops of bottle necks against removal from the carrierand against swinging contact with one another.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a top-gripbottle carrier of the character described which may be quickly andeasily removed from the tops of the bottles it supports, without anyneed for touching the bottles and without tearing or mutilation of thecarrier itself.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a top-gripbottle carrier of the character described which is economical in the useof cardboard and may be readily mass-produced.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide atop-grip bottle carrier which possesses a fiat, unbroken top surfacethat is especially suitable for stackmg.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide atop-grip bottle carrier of the character described which possessesrelatively large unbroken surface areas on the top and on its sidesconvenient for stacking and for carrying printed material such asadvertising or instructions for use.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the top-grip bottlecarrier of the present invention will become more readily apparent tothose skilled in the art from the several embodiments thereof shown inthe accompanying drawings and from the description following. It is tobe understood, however, that such embodiments are shown for illustrationonly, to make the principles and practice of the invention more readilycomprehensible, and Without any intent to limit the invention to thespecific details therein shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a blank for a top-grip bottlecarrier of the present invention, as viewed from the inner surfacethereof;

'FIG. 2 is a foreshortened plan view of the blank of FIG. 1, after afirst step in the folding and gluing thereof;

FIG. 3 is an edge view of the partly glued and folded blank of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the fully glued and flat-folded blank of FIGS.1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is an edge view of the glued and folded blank of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the folded and glued blank in partly set-upposition and in readiness to receive a bottle neck therein;

FIG. 7 is an end view through a fully folded and set-up bottle carrierof the invention, shown with a bottle neck engaged therein;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section of a bottle carrier and bottle engagedthereby, taken on line 8--8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the completely set-up and lockedtop-grip bottle carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of another embodiment of a blank for the top-gripbottle carrier of the invention, shown as adapted for the carrying ofthree bottles and as having modified locking means;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of a fully set upbottle carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 10; shown in readiness tobe locked in set-up position;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to that of FIG. 11, showing the locking meansin fully sealed position; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the locking means of the fullyset-up top-grip bottle carrier of FIGS. 11 and 12, unlocked and inposition for releasing the bottles carried by it.

Broadly stated, the present invention takes advantage of theirregularity in the silhouette of the upper end of the neck ofsubstantially all cap-closed bottles. Such irregularity is provided bythe thickening at the bottleneck end which is provided either by thebottle closure or by an annular bead or rib immediately adjacent to theclosure and the closure-retaining means, or by both. The presentinvention takes advantage of such irregularity in the bottlenecksilhouette by including in the bottle carrier a vertically suspendedmember in which is formed a vertical opening extending inwardly from itslower end whose shape closely conforms to the silhouette of the upperend of the bottle-neck, including the portion thereof below itsenlargement, whereby the silhouette of the upper portion of thebottle-neck is fitted into such opening and is held therein by thebottom of its enlargement, against the vertical edge portions of theopening. The invention involves, further, means for retaining the end ofthe bottle-neck in such opening by its silhouette.

In the preferred form of the invention, the carrier is provided with twosuch vertically-extending members that are tiltably suspended injuxtaposed relation, each formed with a silhouette shaped opening, thatare movable in pincer-like movement into position over the silhouette ofthe bottle-neck end, so as to afford double support therefor; and themeans for retaining the bottle-neck in place within such openingscomprise a laterally and outwardly ofiset section on the free end ofeach of said upright members, into which the silhouette opening iscontinued in approximately semi-circular shape for engagingtransversely, half the bottle-neck thickness at a reduced point of itsthickness, below the enlargement thereof that is engaged by the edges ofthe silhouette openings.

More specifically stated, the bottle carrier of the invention consistsof a pair of parallel substantially rectangular tubes one wall of eachof which lies in a common plane and is preferably continuous with theother and whose adjacent walls are tiltably suspended from said commonwall. The bottle-neck silhouette out-outs are formed in the facing wallsof the parallel tubes and are extended into the adjacent, laterallyoffset walls thereof. In the preferred embodiment of the invention thebottleneck silhouette openings are left secured by their ends to theWall sections from which they are severed and are inwardly folded intothe tubes to form intermediate Wall sections that engage against thesides. of the bottleneck end disposed in the openings, to steady thesame in a plane normal to the plane of the opening edges that steady thebottle-neck in the direction at right angles.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings, and withparticular reference to the embodiments of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 9 thereof, the same show a top-grip bottle carrier that isformed from a unitary, approximately rectangular blank B made ofcardboard or like material. The blank 20is preferably symmetricallyscored byparallel, scored, foldlines to provide a central panel 20,aside panel 22 at each side of the centralpanel Ztbeach side panel 22having an exthe glue flap 28 toward the fold line 26 and is formed by:

spaced, oppositely symmetrical, non-intersecting cut lines that conferupon the opening portion a shape or outline substantially identical withthe silhouette of the upper, irregular portion of the neck of the bottlewhich it is intended to carry and to fit snugly on said silhouette.

Eachopening 30 isformed with an inner extension 32 continuous therewithand extending inwardly therefrom toward fold line 26, to a depth notexceeding half the outer diameter of such bottle neck portionimmediately opposite the lowermost point encompassed by the open ingportion 30. The opening portion 32 is defined by non-intersectingextensions of the cut lines forming the opening portion 3.0. Becausesuch cut lines forming the opening parts 30 and 32. do not intersect,the strip 34 between the. lines defining such opening par-ts remainsattached to the blank by each end thereof and fills such opening partswhen the blank extension 24v remains flat.

Each of the panel extensions 24 is formed with a fold line 36 parallelto foldline 26, extending to each side and between the openings 3032, ata point opposite the junction of opening parts 30 and 32, to definebetween such fold' line. 3.6 and foldline 26 a panel 38, preferablyequal in width to half the width of central panel 20, and, between suchfoldline 36 and the glue flap 28, a panel 40, preferably equal in widthto a side panel 22.

Each of strips 34, filling the opening 30.32, is connected at.its innerend to panel 38 and is defined therefrom by foldline 42, scored forfolding in the same direction as foldlines 26 and 36, and is connectedat its other end. to. theglue flap 28, at the fold line between it andextension24; Each strip 34 is further provided, at a distance from itsjunction with glue flap 28 equal approximately to the depth of openingportion 32, with an oppositely scored fold-line, 44.

The. bottle carrier is formed from the blank B, described above, byfirst folding each glue flap 28 over the ad acent portion of the.extension 24 to which it is connected and applying a coat of glue to itsouter surface, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each of the extensions 24 isthen folded. along foldline 26 over the adjacent side panel and-part ofthe. central panel 20, so that the glued sides of theflaps 28 areadhesively secured to thepanel 20, in oppositely directed relation toone another, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this folded flat and gluedform; the; blank may be. compactly and conveniently and economicallyshipped and stored until used.

Foruse, the fiat folded and glued blank may be placed with its centerover the tops of a number of alined bottles, arranged to have the necktop of each be in register with opposed openings 3032 in the twoextensions 24 of the blank. The blank is then pressed along each of itsedges defined by foldlines 26, so that the side panels 22Lare eachgradually offset relative to the central panel 20 and. extensions 24 areeach offset relative to its side panel 22 and gradually folded alongfold line 36 into two complementary walls of a flat-walled tube ofquadrilateral cross-section which becomes rectangular as the pincer-likemovement of the partly erected tubes is continued, with the panels orsides 40 of the two tubes being brought into juxtaposed position-withtheir opening parts 3%) fitted over the upper neck portions of. thealinedbottles; the opening extensions32 in the panels or sides 38fitting about the circumference of the bottle necks. It will be.apparent that as the pincer-like movement setting up the two tubularsections of the. carrier. is continued,

the strip 34 within each opening 30-32 will. foldJinwardly into the tubealong. foldlines. 42.and' 44, sozthat. strip section 46 will underliethe glue. flap. 28 in' each. tube and the remainder of strip 34 willbeerected in;

spaced, parallel relation to the adjacent panel40.

In the embodiment of the.inventionshoWnjrnFIGSl1 to 9 of the drawing theopening partsfitlin panels 40/ are shown as formed to conform tothesilhouette of thep bottle neck section illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8' ofthe drawings as having thicker portions provided by the' closure cap 50and the annular rib 52, slightly spaced from cap 50, and the thinnerportions represented by the recess 54, between the cap 50 and the rib 52and by the portion of the bottle neck immediately below the rib 52..

Accordingly, each opening 30-is shown to include onv its.- facing edgesa projection 56, that will fit within the recess-- 54 of the bottleneck, with the portions of theopposed edges of the opening below theprojections 56- tapering toward one another to be spaced at the narrowerportion of the opening part 30' a distance less than the thicknessof rib52, so that the lower edge of the latter will rest upon and be supportedby the convergent edge portions- Further support for the bottle neck maybe provided. in

of the upper neck portion of the bottles which it is to carry, the edgesof such opening parts 30 will not'only serve to support the bottles bytheir upper neck portions but will also inhibit the swinging of thebottles supported in the carrier in the plane of the panels. 40, towardand away from one another. It will also be ap-' parent that the uprightportions of strips 34, which are spaced from panels 40 a distanceapproximately half the diameter of the bottle neck, will inhibit theswingingofthe bottles in a plane perpendicular to the. plane. of

panels 40 by impinging against the thicker portions ofthebottle neck.

bottle closure held in the carrier will lie. close up to. or

against the strip portions 46, so thatthe. latter will. cooperate ininhibiting the swinging of the bottlein the.

opening parts 30, in any direction.

It may here be stated that, although thebottle' carrier illustrated isshown as formed for carrying bottles. with uniform bottle necks, itwill, nevertheless. be readily understood that such bottle carrier, byvarying'the shape of the several opening parts 30thereof, may be madesuitable for carrying bottles of different neck. size and. thickness orbottles and jars or jars of dilf'erentisizes.

The bottle carrier of the inventionmay be locked in. set up positionover the bottle neck tops, a-s described' above; either permanently, .asby a line of adhesive'securing the facing sides of juxtaposed panels 40;in a manner that will be readily understood, win another manner thatwill hereafter be described; .or. it may be releasabl'y locked It willbe further apparentthat the, blank. of the carrier may be so formed thatthe flat top of each leasable locking means comprises a tongue 58,struck out from the panel 40 of one of tubular sections forming thecarrier, between a pair of its opening pontions 30, which tongue remainsconnected to the adjacent panel 38 and is provided at its free end witha foldable lock tip 62, defined by a scored foldline 60. In order toutilize the locking means described, the tongue 58 is offset outwardlyand away from the panel 40 from which it is struck as the fiat foldedblank is set up into bottle neck top gripping shape, as shown in FIG. 6of the drawings, so that the tongue will, upon the closing of thecarrier about the bottle neck tops, extend and underlie the panel 38 ofthe companion extension 24, in the latter of which is formed a slot 64,as at the junction of such panel 38 with its side panel 22, whereintothe lock tip is inserted to lock the two tubular sections of the carrieragainst one another. Release of the lock may be relatively easilyeffected by the removal of the lock tip 62 from the slot 64. If desired,and as may be preferable in certain instances, as when the carrier isdesigned for carrying jars which have shallow, wide necks, thereleasable locking means described above may be supplemented by theapplication of a pressure adhesive to the facing sides of the panels 40of the carrier.

Even easier, more convenient and safer means for opening the abovedescribed locking means of the carrier for its removal from the bottleneck tops it supports, especially where the reuse of the carrier is notan object. Such means may comprise a tear away strip 59, defined bytear-lines 61, which is connected integrally to the base of the tongue58, at the fold line 36, which is preferably connected to the tonguealong its entire width at its base. Such tear-away strip is preferablyformed to extend across the entire width of the adjacent panel 38 andpartly into the adjacent side panel 22, where the tearlines 61 convergeand meet to form a tear-away tab 63.

The manner of utilizing the last described means for releasing theinterlocked tubular carrier sections from one another, for removal ofthe carrier from the bottle neck tops, will be obvious. While thebottles supported by the carrier are rested upon a supporting surface,and without in any way disturbing the bottles, the tab 63 in the panel22 (the latter forming an outer wall of the carrier and of easy andconvenient access) is first broken away from panel 22 and is thenengaged and grasped for pulling the rest of strip 61 away from panel 38,thus completely detaching tongue 58 from the tubular carrier section ofwhich it is formed and thereby releasing said carrier section from itscompanion section, permitting the two sections to be spread apart andremoved from the bottle neck tops.

FIGS. 10 to 13, inclusive, of the drawings, illustrate anotherembodiment of a bottle carrier of the present invention which ismodified in a number of respects. This modified embodiment of theinvention shows a topgrip bottle carrier for carrying more than twobottles, and the bottles are shown to be of a type that is closed by arelatively shallow cap, such as a clinch cap. This embodiment is alsoshown as being provided with a re inforced top wall and with modified,non-releasable but, nevertheless readily opened locking means.

More specifically, the embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 13 is formed from ablank whose side panels 22 are relatively shorter than in the firstembodiment because of the relatively shallow closure cap of the bottleswhich this embodiment is intended to carry, and the extensions 24 of theblank are correspondingly shorter. The glue flaps of this blank are eachof a width fully equal to half the width of the central panel 20, sothat the latter, when the blank is glued and flat-folded, is of doublethickness and doubly reinforced along its entire length and width.

In the last embodiment, opening parts 30 are, likewise, relativelyshorter and the projections 56, in its edges, are closer to the panel38, to accommodate the bottles having relatively thin or no annularbeads adjacent the closure cap.

The locking means of the embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 13 comprises a flapextension 70, at each end of the central panel 20, extending preferablyits full Width and of a height equal to the width of a side panel 22; anindividual flap 72, at each end of each side panel 22, preferablyextending its full width and of a height ap proximately half its width;an individual flap extension 74 and 76, respectively, at each end ofeach of panels 38 and 40, extending preferably their entire widths andof a height half the width of panel 38.

In order to lock the two tubular carrier sections, after they have beenset up about the neck portions of the bottles, or the like, to becarried by it, each flap 74, at each end of each tubular carriersection, is preferably first folded over the adjoining section end. Theflaps 72 and 76 are then folded over each flap 74. Each flap 70 is thenfolded over the adjacent flaps 72 and 76 and adhesively secured thereto,to thereby unite the two tubular sections to one another at each endthereof.

The means for unlocking or disconnecting the two tubular carriersections from one another, for its easy removal from the bottles carriedby it, without the need for forcefully tearing the same at the risk ofknocking over and breaking one or more of such bottles, need be providedonly in one of the tubular sections, designated as T, in FIGS. ll, 12,and 13 of the drawings, at each end of such tubular section.

As illustrated, such release means comprises tear lines 78 and 80,respectively, formed at the base of each of flaps 74 and 76; a tearline, 82, at the base of the portion of flap 70 connected to tubularsection T; and a tear line 84, at the base of flap 72, which ispreferably curved to extend into the adjacent side panel 22, to providea tear-away finger piece or tab 86. The carrier is disen gaged from thebottles it carries or grips by successively forcing tear line 84 at eachend of the tube T and grasping tab 86 and pulling it way from the end ofthe tubular section T; thereby tearing tear lines 78, and 82, todisengage the uniting flap 70 from the tubular section T, so as topermit the collapsing of section T and permit removal of the carrierfrom the bottle-neck tops which it grips. A fold line, 88, may be formedin the longitudinal center of flap 70, to facilitate its bending awayfrom tubular section T, after it is separated therefrom.

It may here be stated that the glue flaps 28, instead of being securedto the top wall 20, may, by the interposition of an additional panelbetween pane 40 and glue flap 28, be made to adhere to side panel 22; avariant that imparts still greater flexibility to the utility ofcarriers or container made according to the principles of the presentinvention.

While the devices of the present invention have been specificallydescribed as having their principal utility as a top grip bottlecarrier, it may here be stated that devices constructed according to theprinciples of the present in- 'vention may also be utilized as cartonsand. display stands for various items that may be wholly or partlyengaged and retained within the recesses formed by openings 30- 32 ineach of the two tubular sections thereof. Such cartons, because theitems disposed within their recesses are engaged at four pointsapproximately 90 apart around the circumference of the article providedby the edges of the openings forming the recesses and by theinwardlyolfset strips struck out from the openings, will afford maximumprotection for an article disposed within a recess, as well as hold itsecurely in place. Such cartons might be particularly useful for thepackaging of fragile articles, such as, for instance, radio tubes or thelike, which may be wholly or partly engaged within the recessesdescribed. Such cartons may also serve as display cartons and stands forthe items held therein by being disposed either on their sides 22 orinverted and rested on their top walls 20. In the last position they mayserve as re-usable stands, as

7 :for tools or bottles disposed in upright position, or similar items.

.7111 .viewuo f this versatility of the device of the presentinventionfgfor such various uses, it is intended that the term ftopagrip'hottlecarrier as utilized in the specification and claim slhereof,is .tocover and include containers and stands constructed accordingtothe principles of the invention, eyen when not usedxfor bottles orjars. Tlrf completes the description of the several embodiments .of the,top-tgrip'hottle carrier devices, or the like, of the presentinvention. It will be readily apparent from the foregoing descriptionthat such devices-are sturdy and rigid and capable of receiving andsupporting a varied number of bottles .or jars or other articles, of thesame or different shapes and sizes, and of considerable weight; that itsbottle-supporting means include a double thickness of vertical edges ofa vertically disposed opening, which is thestrongest possible manner ofsupporting an object; and that it will support the bottles or otherarticles in steady position against swinging in any direction, tothereby minimize danger of breakage by collision of the bottles or thelike with .one another.

It will also be apparent that the device of the present invention is soshaped as to be conveniently and comfortably held .by a users hand; topermit the convenient stacking of -gr'ip held bottles or articles on oneanother; and to afford maximum surface area for printed matter, such asadvertising.

It will likewise be apparent that the device of the present'inv'entionmay be readily, quickly and easily removed from the bottles or otheritems it carries, with the use of minimum force and effort and withoutneed of touching ormoving such bottles or other articles and, therefore,with a minimum likelihood of knocking over or dropping any of thearticles carried thereby.

It will be further apparent that the device of the present invention maybe relatively economically produced from a "minimum of material and maybe quickly and easily flat folded and set up and engaged over bottletops or other articles, either manually or by conventional equipment, atmaximum speed.

'It will be still further apparent that numerous modifications andvariations in the devices of the present invention ma be made by any oneskilled in the art, in accordance with the principles of the inventionhereinabove set forth, and without the exercise of any inventiveingenuity. I desire, therefore, to be protected for any and all suchmodifications and variations that may be made within the spirit of theinvention and the scope of the le s ereto appen e Wha I e m s 1. Acarrier -for a bottle or the like with an upper neck section havingrelatively thicker and thinner portions comprising, a pair of flatwalled tubes each including parallel inner and outer side wall sectionsand a wall section connecting one of the edges of each of each of saidside wall sections to the corresponding edge of the other; meansconnecting said tubes in parallel, each by the other edges of its sidewalls, for pivotal movement of said tubes towards and away from oneanother; each of said inner side Wall sections having a-cutout openingformed therein and extending inwardly thereinto from the one edgethereof in register with a corresponding opening in the other of saidinner side wall sections, said opening adapted to accommodate :saidupper bottle-neck portion and having wider portions adapted to receivethe wider portions of said neck section and narrower portions adapted toengage against the underside of said wider neck portions; saidconnecting wall Pct-ions each having an opening formed thereincontinuous with said opening in its connected inner wall section. andadapted to receive a portion of the thickness of said'bottle-necksection, when said inner side wall opening is fitted over saidbottle-neck.

2. A carrier for a bottle, or the like, with an upper neck section ofirregular thickness, including relatively thicker and thinner portions,comprising a'body, including an upright Wall section, said wall sectionhaving a cut-out opening formed therein extending upwardly thereintofrom its lower edge, said opening adapted to accommodate, when incarrying position, said upper bottle neck section and having narrowerand wider portions adapted to fit over the thicker and thinner portionsof said upper bottle neck section, and means connected to said wallsection maintaining said wall section with its opening on said upperbottle neck section.

3. A carrier for a bottle or the like, with an upper neck section ofirregular thickness, including relatively thicker and thinner portions,comprising a horizontal member and a wall section suspended from saidhorizontal member, said wall section having a cut-out opening formedtherein extending upwardly thereinto from its lower edge, said openingadapted to accommodate, when in carrying position, said upper bottleneck section and having wider and narrower portions adapted to fit overthe thicker and thinner portions of said upper bottle neck section, andmeans connected to said wall section maintaining said wall section withits opening fitted on said upper bottle neck section.

4. A carrier for a bottle, or the like, with an upper neck section ofirregular thickness, including relatively thicker and thinner portions,comprising a horizontal member and a wall section suspended from saidhorizontal member, said wall section having a cut-out opening formedtherein extending upwardly from its lower edge, said opening adapted toaccommodate said upper bottle neck section and having, when in carryingposition, thicker and thinner portions adapted to fit over the thickerand thinner portions of said bottle neck section, and means formaintainring said wall section with its opening on said upper bottleneck section, said means including :a lateral extension on said wallsection, said opening continuing into said extension a distance equalapproximately half the outer diameter of said bottle neck opposite saidextension when said opening is disposed over said bottle neck section.

5. A carrier for a bottle, or the like, with an upper neck section ofirregular thickness, including relatively thicker and thinner portions,comprising -a pair of wall sections, means tiltably support-ing saidwall sections, each by one edge thereof, in parallel closely spacedrelation to the other for tilting movement toward and away from oneanother, each said wall section having a cut-out opening formed thereinextending inwardly thereinto from. its opposed edge in register with theopening of the other, each said opening adaptd to accommodate, when incarrying position, said upper bottle neck section and having wider andnarrower portions adapted to fit over the thicker and thinner portionsof said bottle neck upper neck portion and means connected to said wallsections of maintaining said wall sections with the opening over saidbottle-neck section.

6. A carrier for a bottle, or the like, with an upper neck sectionhaving relatively thicker and thinner portions, comprising a horizontalmember, a pair of wall sections each tiltably suspended by one edge fromsaid horizontal member in parallel relation to the other of said wallsections for movement of the other edge thereof toward and away from theother edge of said other wall section, each said wall section having acut-out opening formed therein in register with an opening in the otherof said wall section and extending inwardly thereinto from its saidother edge, said opening having portions adapted to fit over saidthicker portions of said neck section and narrower portions adapted toengage against the underside of said thicker portions of said necksection, and means maintaining said wall sections with their openingsover said neck section, said means including a lateral extension on eachof said wall sections at its said other edge, said lateral extensionhaving an opening formed therein continuous with the opening formed insaid wall section and shaped to receive a portion of the thickness ofsaid neck section opposite said extension when said opening is fitted onsaid neck section.

7. The bottle carrier of 6, including means for interengaging said wallsections against movement away from one another.

8. A carrier for a bottle neck, or the like, with an upper neck sectionhaving relatively thicker and thinner portions, comprising a pair offourwalled tubes, said tubes connected at one edge of one of their wallsto one another, the other of the walls of each tube being foldablycollapsible from substantially fiat to substantially rectangular shape,the facing walls of said interconnected tubes each having an openingfor-med therein extending inwardly from the opposed edge of said onewall, said opening adapted to accommodate said upper bottleneck sectionand having wider portions adapted to fit over said thicker neck portionsand narrower portions adapted to engage the underside of said thickerneck portions, the wall of each of said tubes connected to said opposededge of said facing wall thereof having an extension of said openingformed therein, said opening extension of a shape adapted to receiveapproximately half the thickness of said bottle-neck section oppositesaid edge.

9. The bottle carrier of claim 8, wherein said interconnecting walls ofsaid tubular sections are integrally formed and lie in a common plane.

10. The bottle carrier of claim 8, wherein means are provided forinterconnecting said tubular sections when set up in rectangularposition.

11. The bottle carrier of claim 8, wherein means are provided forreleasably interconnecting said tubular se tions when in set upposition.

12. A carrier for bottles, or the like, said bottles having an upperneck section having relatively thicker and thinner portions, comprisinga rectangular wall section, a first pair of wall sections each tiltablyconnected by one edge thereof to one of two opposed edges of saidrectangular wall section, a second pair of wall sections each tiltablyconnected by one edge thereof to said rectangular wall section at acentral portion therein in juxtaposed relation to one another and inparallel relation to said first pair of wall sections, and a wallsection tiltably connecting the other edge of each one of said firstpair of wall sections to the other edge of the adjacent one of saidsecond pair of wall sections, each one of said second pair of wallsections having an opening formed therein extending inwardly thereintofrom its said other edge, said opening having wider portions adapted toaccommodate the thicker portions of said neck section and narrowerportions adapted to engage against the lower part of said thicker neckportions, said opening extending into said connecting wall a distancenot exceeding half the thickness of the narrower portion of said necksection below said thicker portion thereof.

13. The carrier of claim 12, wherein said wall sections are integrallyformed.

14. The carrier of claim 12, wherein said wall sections are integrallyformed and each of said second pair of Wall sections is formed with aglue flap at its end, said glue flap extended to said rectangular wallsection.

15. The carrier of claim 14, wherein each said glue flap is each of awidth to extend between the wall section to which it is integrallyconnected and the adjacent one of said first pair of wall sections.

16. The carrier of claim 12, wherein said connecting wall sections areeach of lesser width than said second pair of wall sections and whereinone of said second pair of Wall sections has a tongue struck outtherefrom connected thereto by one end adjacent said connecting wallsection, said tongue having a foldline adjacent its free end forming alock tip and the other of said connecting wall sections having a slotformed therein whereinto said lock tip is insertable.

17. The carrier of claim 12, wherein a foldably connected flap isprovided at each of the other edges of said rectangular wall section anda foldable flap is connected at the corresponding ends of each of saidfirst-named pair of wall sections and a tearline is formed at the baseof the flap at each end of one of said first pair of wall sections andat the adjacent portion of the base of eachof the flaps of saidrectangular wall section, said last-named flaps adhesively securable tosaid flaps of said first-named pair of Wall sections.

18. The carrier of claim 12, wherein a foldably connected flap isprovided at each of the other edges of said rectangular wall section anda foldable flap is connected at the corresponding ends :of each of saidfirst-named pair of wall sections and a tearline is formed at the baseof the flap at each end of one of said first pair of wall sections andat the adjacent portion of the base of each of the flaps of saidrectangular wall section, said last-named flaps adhesively securable tosaid flaps of said first-named pair of wall sections, said tear linm atthe base of each of said fiaps of said one of said first pair of Wallsections extended into the adjacent of the said first pair of wallsections to provide a finger grip.

19. The carrier of claim 12, wherein said wall sections are formedintegrally of cardboard and are defined from one another by scoredfoldlines arranged for folding in the same direction and wherein saidopenings and the extensions thereof are each formed by continuous,spaced non-intersecting cut lines defining a continuous strip, and theend of each strip between said cut lines terminating in said connectingwall sections is defined by a foldline corresponding to said first-namedfoldlines and said strip is provided with an oppositely directedfoldline at a distance from its other end equal approximately to thedepth of said opening extension in said connecting wall section, saidstrip between said last-named foldline and one end thereof setting up toparallel a wall section of said second pair of wall sections and theportion of said strip to the other side of said last-named foldlinesetting up parallel to said rectangular wall section, when said carrieris set up into bottle-neck gripping position.

20. The carrier of claim 12, wherein said walls of said first andsecond-named pairs of wall sections are of substantially equal width andsaid connecting walls are each of a Width equal approximately to halfthe Width of said rectangular wall section.

21. A blank for a. top-grip carrier for bottles, or the like, saidbottles having top end sections formed with thicker and thinnerportions, comprising a cardboard blank of substantially rectangularshape, said blank scored by parallel lines to provide foldlines defininga central panel, a side panel on each of two opposed sides of saidcentral panel and an extension on each of said side panels, spaced outlines formed in each said extension defining an opening having wider andnarrower portions adapted to fit over the said thicker and thinnerportions of said top bottle section, each said opening extending intothe adjacent side panel a distance to accommodate approximately half thethickness of said bottle adjacent a thicker section thereof, andfoldlines formed in said extension to each side of said opening atapproximately its junction with the extension thereof.

22. The blank of claim 21 wherein each said blank extension is formedwith a glue flap at its free end.

23. The blank of claim 21, wherein said spaced lines forming saidopenings and extensions thereof are nonintersecting and a foldline isprovided at the end of the strip between cut lines terminating at theend of said opening extension and an oppositely directed foldline isformed in said strip at a distance from the other end thereof equalapproximately to the depth of said opening extension.

24. The blank of claim 21, wherein said extension is of a width equalapproximately to the width of the adjacent side panel and half the widthof the central panel and wherein the end portion of the extensions tothe 1 1 other side of said 'fo'ldlines formed therein is of a widthequal approximately to the width of said side panel.

25. The blank of claim 21, wherein each said side panel extension is ofa width equal approximately to the width of the adjacent side panel andhalf the width of said central panel, and wherein the end portion of theside panel extensionto one side of said foldlines formed therein is of awidth equal approximately to the width of said 'side panel, and whereina tongue is struck out from one ofsaid side panel extensions, saidtongue con nected thereto at the said foldline formed therein andextending toward the glue flap thereof, said tongue having a transversefoldline formed therein adjacent its free end to define a lock tip atsaid end and wherein a slot is formed in the other of said side panelextension between said foldlines formed therein and the adjacent sidepanel for receiving said lock tip.

26. The blank of claim 21, wherein a foldable flap is formed at eachfree end of said central panel and a foldable flap is formed at least oneach free end of each of said side panels and a cut line is formed atthe base 'of said flaps of one of said side panels and at the base ofthe adjacent portions of the flaps of said central panel.

27. The blank of claim 21, wherein a foldable flap is formed at eachfree end of said central panel and a foldable flap is formed at least oneach free end of each of said side panels, and a cut line is formed atthe base of said flaps of one of said side panels and at the base of theadjacent portion of the flaps of said central panel, said cut lines atthe base of each of said flaps of said side panel extending into saidside panel to form a tear-away tab therein.

28. The blank of claim 21, wherein a tongue is struck out from one ofsaid side panel extensions, said tongue extending from said foldlinetherein toward the glue flap thereof, said tongue connected to saidpanel extension at said fold line, and a tear-away strip is formed insaid side panel extension, said tear-away strip defined by tearawaylines and connected to said tongue at said foldline and extendingbetween said foldline and the adjacent side panel.

29. The blank of claim 21, wherein a tongue is st-ruck out from one ofsaid side panel extensions, said tongue extending from said foldlinetherein towards the glue flap thereof, said tongue connected to saidpanel extensions at said foldline and a tearaaway strip is formed insaid side panel extension, said tear-away strip defined by tearawaylines and connected to said tongue at said foldline and extendingbetween said foldline and the adjacent side panel, and part-way intosaid side panel.

30. A carrier for a bottle, or the like, said bottle having relativelyan upper neck portion having thicker and thin ner portions, comprising arectangular wall sections, a first pair of wall sections each tiltablyconnected by one edge thereof to one of two opposed edges of saidrectangular wall section, asecond pair of wall sections each'tiltablyconnected by one edge thereof to said rectangular wall section at acentral portion therein in juxtaposed relation to one another and inparallel relation to said first pair of wall sections, and a wallsection of lesser width than said second pair of wall sectionsconnecting the other edge of each one of said first pair of wallsections to the other edge of the adjacent one of said second pair ofwall sections, each one of said second pair of wall sections having anopening formed therein extending inwardly thereinto from its said otheredge, said opening: having wider portions adapted to accommodate thethicker portions of said neck section and narrower portions adapted toengage against the lower part of said. thicker neck portion, saidopening extending into said C0117" necting wall a distance not exceedinghalf the thickness of the narrower portion of said neck section belowsaid thicker portion thereof, one of said second pair of wall sectionshaving a tongue struck out therefrom connected by one end to saidconnecting wall section, said tongue having a foldline adjacent its freeend forming a lock tip and the other of said connecting wall sectionshaving a slot formed therein wherein said lock tip is insertable, and atear-away strip connected to said tongue at said one end thereof andextending across the adjacent of said connecting walls and partly intothe adjacent one of said first pair of side Walls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,938,919 Marsh r r Dec. 12, 1933 2,023,852 Oser et al Dec. 10, 19352,191,197 Gray V Feb. 20, 1 940 2,252,848 Hamilton Aug. 19, 19412,298,209 Gray Oct. 6, 1942 2,348,187 Beskin a a May 9, 1944 2,407,798Ringle-r Sept. 17, 1946 2,427,105 Houle Sept. 9, 1947 2,543,821 ArnesonMar. 6, 1951 2,680,038 Gray June 1, 1954 2,713,508 Austin July 19, 19552,823,063 Toensmeier Feb. 1 1-, 1958 2,823,064 Toensmeier Feb. 11-, 19582,865,669 Linthicum Dec. 23, 1958 2,996,329 Glazer Aug. 15, 19613,016,259 Lawrence Jan. 9, 196 2

1. A CARRIER FOR A BOTTLE OR THE LIKE WITH AN UPPER NECK SECTION HAVINGRELATIVELY THICKER AND THINNER PORTIONS COMPRISING, A PAIR OF FLATWALLED TUBES EACH INCLUDING PARALLEL INNER AND OUTER SIDE WALL SECTIONSAND A WALL SECTION CONNECTING ONE OF THE EDGES OF EACH OF EACH OF SAIDSIDE WALL SECTIONS TO THE CORRESPONDING EDGE OF THE OTHER; MEANSCONNECTING SAID TUBES IN PARALLEL, EACH BY THE OTHER EDGES OF ITS SIDEWALLS, FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID TUBES TOWARDS AND AWAY FROM ONEANOTHER; EACH OF SAID INNER SIDE WALL SECTIONS HAVING A CUT-OUT OPENINGFORMED THEREIN AND EXTENDING INWARDLY THEREINTO FROM THE ONE EDGETHEREOF IN REGISTER WITH A CORRESPONDING OPENING IN THE OTHER OF SAIDINNER SIDE WALL SECTIONS, SAID OPENING ADAPTED TO ACCOMMODATE SAID UPPERBOTTLE-NECK PORTION AND HAVING WIDER PORTIONS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THEWIDER PORTIONS OF SAID NECK SECTION AND NARROWER PORTIONS ADAPTED TOENGAGE AGAINST THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID WIDER NECK PORTIONS; SAIDCONNECTING WALL SECTIONS EACH HAVING AN OPENING FORMED THEREINCONTINUOUS WITH SAID OPENING IN ITS CONNECTED INNER WALL SECTION ANDADAPTED TO RECEIVE A PORTION OF THE THICKNESS OF SAID BOTTLE-NECKSECTION, WHEN SAID INNER SIDE WALL OPENING IS FITTED OVER SAIDBOTTLE-NECK.